Susie Meissner: I’m Confessin’

On vocalist Susie Meissner's previous recording, I'll Remember April (Self Produced, 2008), the singer staked out the center of the middle of the road stylistically. Her repertoire was from the most popular sections of The Great American Songbook, dispatched tastefully in her well-balanced high alto. Dedicated to the melody, Meissner is clearly not one given to vocal fireworks, preferring to honor the composer's original intentions.

I'm Confessin' picks up where I'll Remember April left off, adding the expert services of trombonist Wycliffe Gordon and trumpeter Freddie Hendrix. Again, Meissner chooses from the center of the GAS chestnuts she addresses conservatively, with class and grace. Her voice is sturdy around the edges, showing great range, though she prefers to sing from the midrange.

Meissner's highlights are Duke Ellington "Just Squeeze Me" and "I'm Just A Lucky So and So," and Hoagy Carmichael's "The Nearness of You" and "Skylark." Of the songs with less mileage, Meissner gives a grand reading of "Detour Ahead," featuring Hendrix's rounded brass, and "Tangerine," featuring guitarist Paul Meyers.

There will always be a market for this type jazz singinghonest, sincere, and thoughtfully rendered. The benefit of these interpretations is they faithfully present what the the composer was hearing and thinking, a facet best appreciated before taking on the more demanding and inventive vocalists.

Track Listing: Close Your Eyes; I'm Confessin'; I Love You; Just Squeeze Me; I'm Just A
Lucky Son and So; Tangerine; The Nearness of You; How About You;
Skylark; On A Slow Boat to China; Embraceable You; Detour Ahead; Day
by Day; A Time for Love.

I grew up listening to my father's Jazz records and listening to radio. My dad was a musician for many years as a vocalist, bassist and drummer. His two uncles played in the Symphony of Reggio Calabria back in Italy

I grew up listening to my father's Jazz records and listening to radio. My dad was a musician for many years as a vocalist, bassist and drummer. His two uncles played in the Symphony of Reggio Calabria back in Italy. So music and jazz specifically have been a part of me since I was born. I love and perform in all styles of music from around the world. Improvisation in jazz is what drew me in, and still does as well as other genres that feature improvisation. A group of great musicians expressing themselves as one is the hallmark of great jazz and in fact all great music.